Streamline handle and latch mechanism



June 1940- B. J. COUNCILMAN STREAHLINE HANDLE AND LATCH MECHANISM Filed NOV. 29, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A20 ro/v u. cow/cw. MA /v 5543 June 25, 940. B. J. COUNCILMAN STREAULINE HANDLE AND LATCH MECHANISM Filed Nov. 29, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 EEPTO/V J COV/VU/LMA/V Z, W

Patented June 25, 1940 UNITED STATES STREAMLINE HANDLE AND LATCH MECHANISM Berton J. Councilman, Ogden, Iowa Application November 29, 1937, Serial No. 177,159

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved handle and latch mechanism of a streamline character which is especially adapted for use in connection with vehicles and the like, and the same will be found to be capable of having various other applications and uses thereof.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved handle and latch mechanism in which the handle is normally disposed with its inner surface substantially flush with the outer surface of the vehicle presenting a streamline effect.

A still further important object of the invene tion is to provide a device of this character in which the handle by means of a simple operation may be pulled outwardly therefrom and actuated to effect an unlatching of the door the same upon being released automatically returning to its streamline flush position.

Another important object of the invention is to provide in combination with a novelly constructed latch mechanism, a novelly constructed handle for actuating the same. I

A still further important object of the invention will be found to reside, in the novel structure for normally maintaining the handle, mechanismin streamline position.

Other objects including simplicity of operation, durability and low cost of manufacture will become apparent from a study of the following description when considered in connection with:

the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the device showing the handle in streamline position in the door of a vehicle or the like.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertically sectional view of Figure 2 taken on the line 3-3 thereof looking in the direction of the arrows. I

Figure 4 is a rear elevational view thereof.

2 taken on the line 5-,-5 thereof. v r g Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of'Figure 2 taken on the line 6-6 thereof looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure '7 is a vertical sectional View of Figure 2 taken on the line-1--l thereof looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the device showing the handle in its outermost position for effooting an operation of the latch mechanism.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken through the innermost end portion of the handle mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings wherein for the Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of Figure purpose of illustration there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the referenoenumeral It! generally designates the outside panel of a vehicle or the like, or any other door mechanism in which it is desired to install the latch mechanism.

To the inner side of the'door Ill there is secured by means of bolts I2 or the like a substantially U-shaped frame i4. The end of the frame adjacent the catch mechanism is provided with a depending support Hi having a slot 'therein throughwhich there is sli'dable the latch arm l8. As clearly illustrated in Figure 2 the latch arm is bent inwardly at the outer end and has interposed between the depending support [6 and the inner side thereof a spring normally maintaining the latch in its outermost position. The inner end of the latch arm I8 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 24 therein which receives the pin 26 of the bell crank arm 28 pivotally mounted to the support M by means of the screw bolt 3i). At'this point it is believed well to note that an upward raising of the shortarm 32 of the bellcrank'will effectan inward movement of the latch arm l8 causing the outer,

end of the latch'arm in the well-known manner 38 of the right angular portion 35. The roller 5 40 is movedlongitudinally in the track 34 into the recess 38 by means of the upstanding arm 46 secured to the latch arm l8 through the medium of the forked end 48; The forked end 48 is centrally apertured and slidably receives the outermost rail 34 forming a guide thereon. It willthus beobservedithat when the latch arm, I8 is moved inwardly, the upstanding arm 46 through-the medium of the forked end engages i the roller'4llcausing the same to be moved longitudinally on the track 34 ultimately into the 'recess portion 38 of the track. Tothe innermost side of the support l4 there is secured a bracket 49 the upper end of which terminates short of the outer endcof the track 34 and has pivotally mounted at its lower end thereof a bellcrank 5D. The upper-end of the bellcrank isprovided with a forked end 52 which assumes a straddling position of the outer end of the track 38, the arms thereof being adapted upon outward movement of the bellcrank 50 through the medium of the short arm 54' to engage the projection 55 of the roller 40 and move the roller out of the recess 33.

To the inner side of the door In there is secured a substantially U-shaped bracket 58 in which there is pivotally mounted an annular handle support 60. A substantially L-shaped handle 62 is pivotally mounted in said support and supported by means of the ball bearings 54, the innermost end of the handle terminating flush with the inner side of the support and having secured thereon or thereto an actuating plate 68. The actuating plate 68 on the inner side thereof adjacent the outer end is provided with a projection 70 which in the innermost position of the support 60 and the outermost position of the handle 62 is adapted to engage the underneath side of the short arm 32 of the bellcrank 28 to effect an anti-clockwise movement thereof upon a downward pushing of the handle 52 to actuate'the latch arm!!! to cause the same to become disengaged from its cooperating keeper which is not shown. The annular pivotally mounted handle support 60 is provided with an inwardly directed integral arm 14 to the free end of which there is secured a coil spring 16 which is secured to the side of the support 14 adjacent the panel ID of the door. At the same point of connection on the free end of the arm 14 there is secureda coiled spring 18 whichhas its other end connected to the extension of the roller 40. To the lowermost side of the plate 68 there is provided a projection or arm 86 which upon an upward and outward movement of the handle 62 is adapted to engage the short arm 54 of the bellcrank 50 to effect a rocking thereof and efiect engagement of the forked arm 52 with the projection 56 of the rollers causing the same to, be moved out of the recess 38 into the longitudinally disposed. track'34.

From a study of the arrangement of the springs 16 and 18 it will be apparent that when the roller All is in the longitudinally extending portion of the track 34 the handle arm 62 is disposed outwardly of the door and upon a downward pressing of the handle and a disengaging of the latch arm Hi from its cooperating keeper the roller Ml is by means of the forked arm 48 moved in its track into the recess 38 placing the springs 76 and 18 under tension which on release of the handle moves the handle carrying support 50 to a position adjacent the door resulting in a positioning of the handle 62 adjacent the outermost side of the door to assume a streamline position. The plate 68 has in this position its upper edge portion received in a notch 90 of the catch 92 secured to the inner side of the door In. The catch 92 is provided with a roller 94 on the end thereof for facilitating the travel of the upper edge of the plate on the underneath side of the cam surface 96 of the catch.

It will thus be apparent that the arm 62 is normally held in streamline position substantially flush with the outer surface of the door by virtue of the novel roller arrangement and when it is desired to actuate the latch arm Hi the arm 62 is pulled upwardly and outwardly from the door causing the upper edge of the plate 68 to be disengaged from the hook 92. The latch arm I8 is moved to its disengaging position through the anti-clockwise movement of the bellcrank 23 through the medium of the projection 10 on the plate 68. The upward and outward pushing of the handle 62 also efiects rotation of the bellcrank 50 causing the roller 40 to be moved out of its recess 38 and an unlatching of the latch arm Ill. The roller 40 as previously described is returned by the arm 46 to its recess the arm 62 being pulled by means of springs 16 and I8 which are thus placed under tension into streamline position adjacent the outer portion of the door. It isto be noted in this connection that if the door remains open a subsequent closing thereof which will effect a contacting of the latch arm with a cooperating keeper not shown causes an inward movement of the latch arm l8 and with it the upstanding arm 86 to automatically return the arm 52 to a streamline position adjacent the panel of the door. The latch arm for the purpose of illustration has been shown as merely being bent over at its end. However any type of sliding bolt arm and cooperating keeper may be employed.

While there is shown for the purpose of illustration apreferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood, that it is capable of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and it is intended therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed thereon, as are indicated in the prior art or in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: a

i 1. In a latch mechanism for mounting on a support or panel, a rotatable and pivotally mounted handle carried by the support and having a portion thereofextending through an aperture in the support or panel, means actuated by the handle upon rotation thereof for operating said latch bolt mechanism, the outer portion of t--e handle being swingable to a position adjacent to and away from the outer side of the support,

and resilient means actuated by. the latch bolt mechanism associated with the handle for normally urging the outer portion of the handle adjacent the outer side of the support.

. 2. In a latch bolt mechanism for mounting on a support or panel having an aperture therein, a handle support pivotally mounted adjacent said aperture, a substantially L-shaped handle extending through said aperture and having its shorter arm pivotally mounted in said handle support, the longer arm of the handle normally in its inoperative position abutting the outer side of the apertured support and being swingable with the handle support to an operative position away from the apertured support, means in the operative position of the handle upon rotation thereof for actuating said latch bolt mechanism and resilient means actuated by the latch bolt mechanism for normally maintaining said handle in its inoperative position.

3. In a latch mechanism for mounting on a support or panel having an aperture therein, a handle support pivotally mounted adjacent the aperture, a substantially L-shaped handle ewtending through said aperture and having its shorter arm pivotally mounted in said handle support, means carried by the inner end of the handle for actuating said latch bolt mechanism upon rotation of said handle, the longer arm of the handle being adapted to be normally disposed adjacent the outer side of the apertured support and swingable outwardly therefrom into an operative position, an L-shaped roller guide track having a roller movable therein, a spring secured to said roller and to said apertured support, means actuated by the latch bolt mechanism upon actuation thereof by the handle for moving said roller in the track into the shorter portion thereof and effecting a pull on the handle for normally maintaining the longer arm of the handle thereof adjacent said apertured support, and trip means actuated by said handle upon outward movement thereof from the apertured support for releasing said roller from the shorter portion of theL-shaped track permitting free movement of the roller in the longer portion of the track thereof.

-'BERTON J COUNCILMAN. 

